28

"Yesterday, the school established a study program with Columbia University in New York that guarantees acceptance to that school.

The program and tuition will be fully funded.

Candidates will present individual academic projects by the end of the year, and the winne-"

Samuel cut off Azucena "Who's funding this?

Azucena raised her eyebrows "A generous sponsor. As I was sayin-"

Samuel once again but in "This happened yesterday? Because I saw Polo's mother in your office yesterday." Natalia looked at Polo with shock.

When the class ended, most of the students stayed behind to discuss what happened.

Cayetana huffed "Look...if Polo's mom's publishing house wants to sponsor it, so what?

You're always..."

Samuel put his hand out "They've already bought you off. Not the rest of us."

Nadia shook her head "They don't need to buy us off. Polo was released." Cayetana looked at the girl "Thank you."

Samuel looked at Cayetana with disbelief "You want to take the scholarship without feeling guilty, right?"

Guzmán quickly stood up for her "If Nadia wants to apply for that scholarship, that's her business. Maybe we should all put this behind us."

Natalia stood up and walked over to Guzmán "You're not serious. What happened to you?"

Guzmán looked at the girl "I believed Samuel, but the court didn't."

He looked at Samuel "I believed you over my friend Polo, my best friend since we were kids. Maybe I fucked up again. Drop it already." Guzmán walked out of the classroom and Natalia laughed "Whatever."

She walked out of the classroom after a few seconds and walked into the students' room. She sat down at the first table she saw and rested her head on it.

"What's up with you, gorgeous." Natalia looked up at Rebeca who had a worried look on her face. Natalia sat up and sighed "I just wanna sleep. I'm tired of school already."

Rebeca scoffed "Me and you both. I can't wait to leave this place."

Rebeca looked behind her and saw Ander at the vending machine. She immediately stood up "I'll be back, okay?"

Natalia nodded and the girl slowly walked over to Ander. Natalia frowned when she did this, almost feeling a sense of jealousy within her. She leaned back into her chair and watched them cautiously.

Ander then caught eyes with her and they both looked away quickly. Natalia stood up and walked out of the room. She had no idea that Rebeca and Ander were close.

As soon as Natalia walked out of the room she suddenly bumped into something hard and flew back.

She looked in front of her and saw Valerio holding her arms and laughing "Easy there, babe. You in a rush or what?"

Natalia moved her hair back to its normal position and smiled "Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going. Are you okay?"

Valerio put his hands out and grinned "I'm amazing, beautiful. I actually wanted to talk to you. I want to take you out tonight." Natalia frowned "What?"

Valerio smirked "I'm in the mood for a party and I want to take you with me. I know that you're feeling like shit right now and going out with me is the best way to put a beautiful smile on your face."

Natalia sighed "Fine. Pick me up at 8, okay?" Valerio nodded eagerly and started to walk away backwards "You won't regret this." Natalia rolled her eyes playfully and walked away.

***

Natalia walked hand-in-hand with Valerio into the club. Natalia had already broken her New Years resolution as she had taken a shot out of her mother's alcohol cupboard before Valerio had picked her up.

Valerio dragged her towards the extremely large bar and sat her down. Natalia called over the waiter and smiled at him "I'll have a gin and tonic, please."

Valerio smiled at him "Just a beer for me." The waiter looked at Natalia and smirked "It's on the house."

Natalia winked at him and he walked away blushing. Valerio smiled at the girl "If I had realise sooner that you could get me free drinks, I would have taken you out much earlier." Natalia "I can't help it."

Valerio nodded "Yeah, you're very charming. Part of the reason I fell for you." Natalia frowned at him "Is that why you invited me out? To talk about us?"

Valerio leaned against the bar to keep his balance "No, I just want to have fun. With you, I might add. We never get to do that anymore."

Natalia laughed "Not as much as I would like to." The waiter then walked over to the two with their drinks and the two thanked him.

Natalia grabbed her drink and Valerio followed her over to a table. Valerio made sure he reached the table first so he could pull the chair out for Natalia.

She noticed this and laughed "thank you." Natalia sat down and Valerio pushed her chair in he sat next to her and drank a sip of his beer.

Natalia didn't really know what to say to the boy. She wasn't used to talking with him as they had spent most of their time making out when they were still together.

Natalia picked up her drink and Valerio smiled "Did I tell you look great tonight?" Natalia chuckled "About ten times already." Valerio shrugged "I can't help it. You look like an Angel."

Natalia tried to hide her red cheeks as she blushed at Valerio's comment. He had called Natalia many things but never once an Angel. Valerio put his hand out "Wanna dance?"

Natalia put her drink down and took his hand "I thought you'd never ask." Valerio stood up and dragged Natalia to the dancefloor.

The two weren't drunk yet and so their dancing wasn't too awful. Valerio wrapped his arms around Natalia as she had her back on him. The two laughed together and Natalia felt happy for the first time in a while.

The two had danced for hours and Natalia was finally intoxicated. And so was Valerio.

Natalia was laughing with Valerio as she basically grinded against him. Natalia turned to face him and wrapped her hands around his neck.

Valerio smiled at her and started to kiss her neck. Normally Natalia would have pushed him away but she wasn't herself and so she smiled as he continued to lower his lips down to her shoulders.

Natalia then surprised herself and grabbed his face. She then smashed her lips onto his and he smirked into the kiss. Natalia pushed him on the wall next to him and continued to kiss him.

Valerio had placed his hands dangerously low on Natalia's waist and he bit her lip seductively. Natalia pulled away and smiled "I shouldn't have done that."

Valerio laughed "I think it was the best mistake of your life." Natalia rolled her eyes playfully and whispered into his ear "Let's get out of here. My mom's not home."

Valerio's eyes widened "Trust me, you'll regret this in the morning." Natalia pulled away from his ear and smirked "Shall we find out?"

Valerio immediately grabbed Natalia's hand and walked out of the club with a smug look on his face.

That night, Natalia had slept with Valerio and he had left before her mother and Joaquin had came back.

She woke up the next morning with a gigantic headache and sighed when she realised that she had school. She quickly had a shower and got changed.

Natalia walked downstairs and saw Paulina sitting in the kitchen.

She immediately walked into the kitchen and grabbed and apple, trying to avoid conversation with her mother.

She could hear her shouting her name but quickly grabbed her bag and walked out of the house.

She rode to school in her chauffeur's car and arrived just on time. Natalia knew that her day was going to be a painful one as the ringing sound in her ears hadn't gone away.

Natalia's club outfit: